Search Results (2,272)

The use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) in asphalt mixtures offers environmental and economic advantages by reducing reliance on virgin aggregates and minimizing construction waste. However, the aged binder in RAP increases mixture stiffness, which can compromise fatigue resistance. This systematic review evaluates the influence of RAP content on fatigue performance compared to conventional mixtures, with a focus on the Indirect Tensile Test (IDT) as the primary assessment method. Following the parameters of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, five studies published between 2014 and 2024 were identified through searches in Web of Science, ScienceDirect, ASCE, and Scopus. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The results indicate that although RAP enhances rutting resistance, higher contents (>30%) often lead to reduced fatigue performance due to binder hardening and reduced mixture flexibility. The incorporation of rejuvenators—such as heavy paraffinic extracts—and modifiers, including high-modulus agents, polymers, and epoxy binders, can partially restore aged binder properties and improve performance. Sustainable innovations, such as lignin-based industrial by-products and warm-mix asphalt technologies, show promise in balancing mechanical performance with reduced environmental impact. Variability in material sources, modification strategies, and test protocols limits direct comparability among studies, underscoring the need for standardized evaluation frameworks. Overall, this review highlights that optimizing RAP content and selecting effective rejuvenation or modification strategies are essential for achieving durable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible asphalt pavements. Future research should integrate advanced laboratory methods with performance-based design to enable high RAP utilization without compromising fatigue resistance. Full article

A necessary evaluation of freshwater ecosystem pollution levels and radiation risks remains crucial for maintaining environmental health, especially within economically developing areas. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the mineralogical, geochemical, and radiological characteristics of sediments in Nasser Lake, Egypt, to determine potential ecological and health risks. Forty sediment samples were collected from multiple locations, including both surface and bottom sediments, for analysis of textural attributes, mineral composition, potentially toxic elements, and natural radionuclides (²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K). Results revealed sand-dominated sediments with low organic matter content. The heavy mineral assemblages derived from Nile River inputs, wind-deposited materials, and eroded igneous and metamorphic rocks. Geochemical analysis showed that arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead concentrations exceeded upper continental crust background values, with enrichment factors and geo-accumulation indices indicating significant anthropogenic contributions. The pollution indices revealed heavy contamination levels and extreme ecological risks, which were primarily driven by arsenic and cadmium concentrations. Radiological assessments detected activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K below the world average, with hazard indices indicating minimal radiological risk except where localized hotspots were present. The study emphasizes the need for targeted monitoring and sustainable management practices to mitigate pollution and preserve the crucial freshwater environment of Nasser Lake. Full article

Fruits and vegetables are essential for a healthy diet, providing vital nutrients and contributing to global food security. Fungal pathogens that interact with fruits and vegetables reduce their quality and shelf life and lead to economic losses and risks to human health through the production of mycotoxins. Chemical fungicides, used to control postharvest pathogens, are posing serious environmental and health risks, driving interest in safer alternative strategies. Biocontrol methods using antagonistic microbes, such as yeasts, are eco-friendly, sustainable, and the most promising, but they often have limited efficacy and specificity in diverse produce. There is growing interest in the innovative enhancement of biocontrol strategies. The present review shows that inducing, enhancing, co-application, encapsulation, and post-application treatments are common enhancement techniques, while environmental, host, and pathogen characteristics, antagonistic microbial traits, and chemical inputs are the major gearing factors for the best application methods. These methods do not involve genetic modification, which is adequate to reduce the proliferation of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) while optimizing antagonistic microbial performance by promoting growth, inducing host resistance, enhancing antifungal properties, improving adhesion, and boosting stress tolerance. Most enhancers fall under groups of nutritional additives, protective carriers, growth stimulants, and encapsulants. Integrating these enhancers and best methods promises reduced postharvest losses, supports sustainable agriculture, and addresses economic losses and food security challenges. This study highlights the role of organic and natural elicitors, their application methods, their mechanisms in improving BCAs (Biological Control Agents), and their overall efficiency. This review concisely compiles recent strategies, calling for further research to revolutionize fungal pathogen management, reduce food waste, and promote responsible farming practices. Full article

The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is framed as a flagship of Türkiye’s national low-carbon transition. This study examines how domestic economic actors perceive the project’s socio-economic and environmental impacts, and how those perceptions align with—or diverge from—official assessments and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, the research draws on 28 semi-structured interviews with members of the Silifke Chamber of Commerce and Industry Council. This lens captures how locally embedded businesses read the project’s risks and rewards in real time. Four themes stand out. First, respondents see a clear economic uptick—but one that feels time-bound and vulnerable to the project cycle. Second, many feel excluded from decision-making; as a result, their support remains conditional rather than open-ended. Third, participants describe environmental signals as ambiguous, paired with genuine ecological concern. Fourth, skepticism about governance intertwines with sovereignty anxieties, particularly around foreign ownership and control. Overall, while short-term economic benefits are widely acknowledged, support is tempered by procedural exclusion, environmental worry, and distrust of foreign control. Conceptually, the study contributes to energy-justice scholarship by elevating sovereignty as an additional dimension of justice and by highlighting the link between being shut out of processes and perceiving higher environmental risk. Policy implications follow directly: create robust, domestic communication channels; strengthen participatory governance so local actors have a real voice; and embed nuclear projects within regional development strategies so economic gains are durable and broadly shared. Full article

Agriculture is fundamental to food security and environmental sustainability. Advancing its holistic ecological transformation can stimulate socioeconomic progress while fostering human–nature harmony. Utilizing provincial data from mainland China (2013–2022), this research establishes a multidimensional evaluation framework across four pillars: agricultural ecology, low-carbon practices, modernization, and productivity enhancement. Through comprehensive assessment, we quantify China’s low-carbon green agriculture (LGA) development trajectory and conduct comparative regional analysis across eastern, central, and western zones. As for methods, this study employs multiple econometric approaches: LGA was quantified using the TOPSIS entropy weight method at the first step. Moreover, multidimensional spatial–temporal patterns were characterized through ArcGIS spatial analysis, Dagum Gini coefficient decomposition, Kernel density estimation, and Markov chain techniques, revealing regional disparities, evolutionary trajectories, and state transition dynamics. Last but not least, Tobit regression modeling identified driving mechanisms, informing improvement strategies derived from empirical evidence. The key findings reveal the following: 1. From 2013 to 2022, LGA in China fluctuated significantly. However, the current growth rate is basically maintained between 0% and 10%. Meanwhile, LGA in the vast majority of provinces exceeds 0.3705, indicating that LGA in China is currently in a stable growth period. 2. After 2016, the growth momentum in the central and western regions continued. The growth rate peaked in 2020, with some provinces having a growth rate exceeding 20%. Then the growth rate slowed down, and the intra-regional differences in all regions remained stable at around 0.11. 3. Inter-regional differences are the main factor causing the differences in national LGA, with contribution rates ranging from 67.14% to 74.86%. 4. LGA has the characteristic of polarization. Some regions have developed rapidly, while others have lagged behind. At the end of our ten-year study period, LGA in Yunnan, Guizhou and Shanxi was still below 0.2430, remaining in the low-level range. 5. In the long term, the possibility of improvement in LGA in various regions of China is relatively high, but there is a possibility of maintaining the status quo or “deteriorating”. Even provinces with a high level of LGA may be downgraded, with possibilities ranging from 1.69% to 4.55%. 6. The analysis of driving factors indicates that the level of economic development has a significant positive impact on the level of urban development, while the influences of urbanization, agricultural scale operation, technological input, and industrialization level on the level of urban development show significant regional heterogeneity. In summary, during the period from 2013 to 2022, although China’s LGA showed polarization and experienced ups and downs, it generally entered a period of stable growth. Among them, the inter-regional differences were the main cause of the unbalanced development across the country, but there was also a risk of stagnation and decline. Economic development was the general driving force, while other driving factors showed significant regional heterogeneity. Finally, suggestions such as differentiated development strategies, regional cooperation and resource sharing, and coordinated policy allocation were put forward for the development of LGA. This research is conducive to providing references for future LGA, offering policy inspirations for LGA in other countries and regions, and also providing new empirical results for the academic community. Full article

Water plays a fundamental role in sustaining biological processes, ecological functions, and economic systems. However, the progressive pollution of water sources compromises these functions, posing significant threats to water purity, human well-being, and environmental sustainability. Human activities, such as industrial waste, agriculture, and urbanization, alongside natural processes, are major contributors to the deterioration of surface water quality, which in turn leads to environmental and economic risks. The decline in water quality results in issues such as waterborne diseases, loss of biodiversity, and a shortage of clean water for consumption and industrial use. This paper emphasizes the critical need for maintaining good water quality and the importance of implementing effective strategies for the removal of physical, chemical, and biological contaminants. In response, this work presents an intelligent embedded system (electronic control unit, ECU) developed as part of a modular filtration system designed to improve surface water quality, provide more precise water analyses, and perform tests within a controlled environment. Full article

The challenges of climate change require in-depth attention and targeted strategies for specific sectors, such as energy and mining. Within the mining sector, climate change imposes constraints on the sustainable extraction of minerals, thereby heightening the importance of several minerals in addressing these challenges. Chile emerges as a pivotal nation due to its substantial reserves of copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite, which are essential for energy transition and decarbonization processes. Consequently, Chile must foster gradual processes to establish competitive advantages based on technological and innovative capabilities, thus projecting a competitive and sustainable mining industry. This endeavor should be accompanied by enhancements in policies and instruments to guide development, expanding local value creation. This study examines the global challenges faced by the mining sector in the context of the energy transition and evaluates Chile’s response through an assessment of public policies for mining development. It provides an analysis of the scope of various public policy instruments to establish the link between international agreements and development opportunities, subsequently proposing a series of indicators to assess policy progress. To this end, the Environmental Observatory of Mining Projects is developing indicators to evaluate compliance with these policies. In addressing the nation’s challenges related to green and sustainable mining, 20 indicators have been developed in collaboration with civil society and public and private stakeholders through a design thinking process. These indicators enable the evaluation of aspects such as air quality, water quality, and the surface area affected by tailings, among others. The initial section of the document outlines the global challenges in achieving the carbon neutrality goals set by the IPCC. The subsequent section elaborates on the theoretical framework of the research, addressing theories of economic development and sustainability, public policy approaches considered in recent years, as well as the governance of mining development, with an emphasis on its capacity to articulate industrial policies, promote environmental sustainability, and foster technological innovation. The third section details the research methodology and framework of the study. This study examines how Chile’s mining policies align with the global energy transition. Amid growing demand for critical minerals, climate change, and decarbonization, Chile faces both opportunities and socio-environmental risks. Addressing these challenges requires integrated sustainability strategies and an active state role to ensure inclusive, environmentally responsible, and innovation-driven mining development. Full article

This systematic review examines the methodologies and applications of integrated risk indicators in positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceutical production, focusing on occupational, technological, and environmental risks. Conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and utilizing the Ryyan software 2023 for article screening, the review synthesizes findings from 70 studies published between 2020 and 2025 in English and Spanish, including articles, conference papers, and reviews. The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD420251078221). Key disciplines contributing to risk assessment frameworks include environmental science, occupational health and safety, civil engineering, mining engineering, maritime safety, financial/economic risk, and systems engineering. Predominant risk assessment methods identified are probabilistic modeling (e.g., Monte Carlo simulations), machine learning (e.g., neural networks), multi-criteria decision-making (e.g., AHP and TOPSIS), and failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), each offering strengths, such as uncertainty quantification and systematic hazard identification, alongside limitations like data dependency and subjectivity. The review explores how frameworks from other industries can be adapted to address PET-specific risks, such as radiation exposure to workers, equipment failure, and waste management, and how studies integrate these factors into unified risk indicators using weighted scoring, probabilistic methods, and fuzzy logic. Gaps in the literature include limited stakeholder engagement, lack of standardized frameworks, insufficient real-time monitoring, and under-represented environmental risks. Future research directions propose developing PET-specific tools, integrating AI and IoT for real-time data, establishing standardized frameworks, and expanding environmental assessments to enhance risk management in PET radiopharmaceutical production. This review highlights the interdisciplinary nature of risk assessment and the critical need for comprehensive, tailored approaches to ensure safety and sustainability in this field. Full article

Rapid urbanization has increased pressure on ecosystems, posing serious risks to environmental quality and sustainable development. Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics and driving mechanisms of Fractional Vegetation Cover (FVC), a key indicator of ecological health, is essential for advancing high-quality regional development and ecological civilization. In this study, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), meteorological, and socio-economic data from 2000 to 2022 were used to analyze the changes and driving forces of FVC in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) urban cluster using a pixel dichotomy model and Partial Least Square–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS–SEM). The CA-Markov model was applied to predict future FVC patterns under different scenarios. The results show that FVC in the BTH increased from 0.462 to 0.576 between 2000 and 2022. However, this positive trend was accompanied by pronounced spatial differences: FVC increased significantly in the northwestern mountains, while it declined in urban built-up areas. PLS–SEM analysis further indicated that climate factors were the main drivers of FVC growth (0.903), whereas socioeconomic (−0.469) and topographic (−0.260) factors exerted limiting effects. Compared with 2022, FVC declined to varying degrees under all scenarios. Notably, the ecological protection scenario resulted in far less FVC degradation than the inertial development and economic priority scenarios. These findings provide scientific support for spatial planning and emphasize the importance of ecological protection policies in sustaining vegetation and promoting long-term sustainable development. Full article

We propose the Commodity-Specific Sustainability Index (CSSI), a multidimensional system for quantifying Brazil–China commodity trade dependence that integrates environmental, economic, and social sustainability metrics with conventional trade dynamics. Traditional trade metrics often overlook sustainability risks due to their focus on volume or monetary value. The CSSI combines three dimensions of sustainability risk (environmental impact, economic resilience, and social well-being) into a single assessment framework for major commodities, including soybeans and iron ore. The framework uses a dynamic weighting mechanism that adjusts sub-indices depending on policy priorities and stakeholder inputs, and a Transformer-based time series model captures relationships between CSSI trends with bilateral trade flows along with external shocks, enabling the predictive analysis of sustainability-driven trade adjustments. Furthermore, the CSSI replaces conventional trade volumes with sustainability-adjusted counterparts that are then incorporated into standard trade frameworks such as gravity equations. Our analysis of soybeans and iron ore from 2015 to 2022 shows that conventional dependence metrics overestimate trade dependence by 12–19% (95% CI: 10.8–21.2%, p < 0.001) for commodities with a high environmental footprint. The predictive model, built entirely based on publicly accessible data sources, produces a mean absolute error of 5.5% (±0.8%) in forecasting quarterly trade flows, outperforming ARIMA (6.8% ± 0.5%) and LSTM (6.1% ± 0.6%). The CSSI’s novelty is its holistic approach to sustainability–trade connections, providing policy makers and researchers with a tool to assess long-term commodity resilience, beyond traditional economic metrics. Full article

This article discusses unattributable small-scale marine oil spills, particularly focusing on their environmental and socio-economic impacts in Musandam, Oman. There is a research gap in the literature on unattributable small-scale marine oil spills that reflects the lack of attention paid to these minor yet frequent spills, whose perpetrators invariably escape detection and accountability. The research method combines a literature review with extensive fieldwork, including community mapping, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, to understand the extent, causes, and challenges of untraceable spills. The findings reveal significant ecological damage, economic losses for local fishers and tourism, and systemic issues of untraceability, limited enforcement, and inadequate compensation mechanisms. The article recommends establishing a regional compensation scheme, deploying advanced detection technologies, improving spill reporting, and fostering regional cooperation to enhance spill traceability, upgrade remediation techniques, and obtain redress for affected communities. These recommendations aim to inform policy actions that mitigate environmental risks and uphold environmental justice in the Arabian Gulf region. Full article

The article presents an analysis of current (during the period 1985–2022) and projected (during the period 2025–2099) changes in the hydrological regime of the Buktyrma, Yesil, and Zhaiyk river basins in Kazakhstan under the conditions of global climate change. This study is based on the integration of data from General Circulation Models (GCMs) of the sixth phase of the CMIP6 project, socio-economic development scenarios SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, as well as the results of hydrological modelling using the SWIM model. The studies were carried out with an integrated approach to hydrological change assessment, taking into account scenario modelling, uncertainty analysis and the use of bias correction methods for climate data. A calculation method was used to analyse the intra-annual distribution of runoff, taking into account climate change. Detailed forecasts of changes in runoff and intra-annual water distribution up to the end of the 21st century for key water bodies in Kazakhstan were obtained. While the projections of river flow and hydrological parameters under CMIP6 scenarios are actively pursued worldwide, few studies have explicitly focused on forecasting intra-annual flow distribution in Central Asia, calculated using a methodology appropriate for this region and using CMIP6 ensemble scenarios. There have been studies on changes in the intra-annual distribution of runoff for individual river basins or local areas, but for the historical period, there have also been studies on modelling runoff forecasts using CMIP6 climate models, but have been very few systematic publications on the distribution of predicted intra-annual runoff in Central Asia, and this issue has not been fully studied. The projections suggest an intensification of flow seasonality (1), earlier flood peaks (2), reduced summer discharges (3) and an increased likelihood of extreme hydrological events under future climatic conditions. Changes in the seasonal structure of river flow in Central Asia are caused by both climatic factors—temperature, precipitation and glacier degradation—and significant anthropogenic influences, including irrigation and water management structures. These changes directly affect the risks of flooding and water shortages, as well as the adaptive capacity of water management systems. Given the high level of water management challenges and interregional conflicts over water use, the intra-annual distribution of runoff is important for long-term planning, the development of adaptation measures, and the formulation of public policy on sustainable water management in the face of growing climate challenges. This is critically important for water, agricultural, energy, and environmental planning in a region that already faces annual water management challenges and conflicts due to the uneven seasonal distribution of resources. Full article

Under the pressure of global low-carbon transformation, the sustainable development initiative of the United Nations has gradually become an essential orientation of corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Based on the integrated theoretical framework of sustainable development finance, this work explores the relationships among corporate ESG performance, its financing constraints in China, and its influencing mechanism, as well as the role played by green innovation in this relationship. Using a comprehensive panel dataset of 1038 A-share listed companies from 2013 to 2023, totaling 11,418 observations, we find that corporate ESG performance and financing constraints exhibit a significant negative relationship, indicating that strong corporate ESG performance can effectively alleviate corporate financing constraints. To address endogeneity concerns, we employ a systematic generalized method of moments (GMM) and a two-stage least squares regression using lagged instrumental variables. The results of the mechanism test show that ESG performance mitigates financing constraints by reducing perceived financial risks, improving information transparency, and increasing access to government green subsidies. Furthermore, moderating effect analysis reveals that green innovation strengthens the mitigating effect of corporate ESG performance on financing constraints in this process, based on SDG 9. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that this mitigating effect of corporate ESG performance on financing constraints is more pronounced for firms in China’s economically advanced eastern region, for companies facing harder budget constraints, and in the period following the implementation of the stringent new Environmental Protection Law. Distinguishing between genuine and symbolic corporate actions, we provide evidence that only substantive ESG improvements, as opposed to “greenwashing,” are rewarded by capital providers. The findings provide insights for the formulation of government policies and corporate sustainability strategies in emerging markets. Full article

The increasing demand to leverage mining for economic development poses severe risks to rural communities, especially in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to its negative impacts. This study assesses the processes of mining-induced environmental degradation and displacement through the lens of two villages in Turkey and highlights the need for ecosocial work within these contexts. A qualitative case study design was adopted, involving 18 individuals from both villages who were recruited through snowball sampling. The data, collected through in-depth interviews and participant observation, were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis with the help of MAXQDA 24 software. The findings reveal that mining-related environmental degradation has adversely affected not only the ecosystems of the villages but also their social and economic structures. Moreover, the study identifies the need to address multiple and overlapping challenges experienced by villagers in relation to displacement, including both material and psychosocial difficulties. This research is the first attempt to provide an empirical foundation for ecosocial work interventions at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels in the context of rural, mining-affected communities in Turkey. As such, it offers valuable insights into how ecosocial work can engage with these levels of intervention in rural settings. Full article

Oil consumption brings both energy security risks and environmental responsibilities. While traditional studies assign environmental responsibility primarily to oil producers, our research uncovers a geographical displacement of accountability: substantial oil volumes are embedded in traded goods and ultimately consumed in distant regions. Although China’s “dual control” policy regulates fossil energy use, it fails to account for the complexities of embodied oil flows. This oversight leads to imbalanced interregional responsibility allocation and resource exploitation issues. Adopting the “consumer pays” principle, this study makes methodological advances by innovatively combining multi-regional input–output (MRIO) modeling with geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) analysis. The integrated approach provides spatial–temporal resolution in tracking embodied oil flows and their drivers across China’s provinces. Key findings include (1) strong concentration of oil inflows in developed eastern and central provinces, alongside rapid growth in southwestern regions; (2) evolving temporal patterns where economic growth and distance remain persistent drivers, while green technology and urbanization emerge as growing mitigating factors; (3) spatially, northwestern regions rely heavily on external supplies due to economic growth and urbanization, southeastern areas face rising transport costs, while green technologies in coastal regions have yet to significantly curb inflows due to rebound effects. These insights provide a new analytical framework for energy policy, supporting region-specific solutions to balance development and sustainability from a consumption perspective. Full article